the winter *I* chose happiness

this morning I was delighted to join the Big Hearted Business morning tea in St Kilda.

I joined with a room full of creatives to listen to what Clare Bowditch shared, and oh my, is she an inspiration.  her warmth and composure and confidence just radiates - it was like sitting in front of the sun with cup of tea for an hour.

we heard her take on making creativity work, and on overcoming the obstacles we have, that, it seems are usually in our own head.

she guided us on a little journey, inviting us to reflect on our life in 5 years, what it would look like.  I'm sure there were plenty in the room who'd gone along with clear plans on what they hoped to achieve, but for me that invitation to look to my future brought a welcome epiphany.

and with that, a commitment to express myself more here, and track my journey.

so I came home and spent the afternoon sewing, naturally.

ups and downs

I can't believe I didn't post this over a year ago when I made it, but I didn't, so there you have it.

I made this Charlie and Lola inspired snakes and ladder's quilt for miss Lo's 4th birthday.  the snakes and ladders are raw edge machine appliquéd, and the tokens are free motion machine quilted using felt.

I had masses of fun making this!

what are you waiting for?

always apathetic me, but this is a day to change.  to paraphrase some thoughts lately: it not now, then when?

I'm turning 35 this year, which means it's time to start having grown up conversations with my Dr about my family health history.  and though I consider myself a good listener, when it comes down to it I had to start *that* conversation with my mum all over again.  when I actually started to make notes I realised I didn't really understand the ins and outs of my family health history (parents and grandparents health concerns and the like).

and above all I think it's time to "man up, ladybug" and start behaving like a responsible adult - a person who is mindful with health, mindful with exercise, mindful with expenditure.  I want this to be a turning point for me  at what is (let's be realistic) is probably the halfway point of my life: a point I look back on and realise that this is the year that I got it.  the year I finally realised that NOW is the time to be healthy, NOW is the time to be fit, NOW is the time to look around at the things I have (literally and metaphorically) and be god damn grateful for every last bit of it.

none of this is profound; none of it ground breaking; nothing original.  but it's important to me, now more than ever.

what are you waiting for?